Automatic feeding mechanism for bed-and-platen presses.



h. A. W. WOOD. AUTOMATIC FEEDING MECHANISM FOR BED AND PLATE N PRESSES.

APPLlCATION FILED JMLJO. 19H- Pat ented Jan. 23, 1917. r

H. A. w; woon. AUTOMATIC FEEDING MECHANIEM FOR BED AND PLATEN PRESSES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN- I0. 19!].

Pdtented Jan. 23, 1917.

3-SHEETS-SHEET 2- mm.- MLWO g mz-niygn H.-A.' W. WOOD AUTOMAHC FEEDING MECHANISM FOR'BED AND PLATEN PRESSES.

APPLlCATlON FILED JAN-10 19H.

Patented Jan. 23,1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

HENRY A. WISE WOOD, oF Ew YoR'K, N. uAssienoit To AMEnIcAiw H IGH simian IBESS COMPANY, or NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION or NEW "YORK.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY A. WISE VVoom-a citlzen of the United States, res1ding at New York, in the county of New York. '5 and State of New York, have invented a.

new and useful Automatic Feeding Mechanism for Bed-and-llaten Presses, of which the following is a specification.

The principal objects of this invention are 1 to provide a'job press with an automatic feed of a practical and eliicient character so that the machine will be suitable for all kinds of work for which job presses are ordinarily employed and will also be capable of efiicient and satisfactory operation.

The invention also involves an improved and l thoroughly practicable pneumatic controllled means for taking the sheets preferably from the bottom of thepile andintroducing them into the feed rolls; improve ments in the automatic feed, wherebythe sheets are fed from the pile by said pneumatic means controlled from the operating shaft of the machine and introduced between. .the feed rollers with the aid of a device which positively feeds the centers of the sheets and controls the other parts thereof to follow the center accurately into the feed rolls; means for operating and adjusting the latter device and for stopping the pile of sheets in properposition as the feed table moves up to the feeding point; means for accurately adjusting the stop and the said controlling l'neans independently of each '35 other and for adjusting the combined movement of the two separately from the other two adjustments; and improved mechanism for reciprocat-ing the feed table and for adyjusting it so as to control its positlon when 4o'f discharging a sheet, whereby it Wlll be su tble for sheets of different thicknesses.

The invention also involves several improvementsin details of construction of the various parts of the feeding mechanism, as will appear hereinafterx Reference is to be had to the accompanyin drawings, in Whichigure 1 is a side elevation of a 3010 press with a preferred form of the present 1mprovemcnts applied thereto; Fig. 2 1s a plan thereof. Fig. is an end view of a detail. Fig. 4 is a view of the end of the feed bar; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the same on the line 5-5 of-Fig. 4. Fig. 6 1s a side view partly-in section, on an enlarged scale show- Specification of Lettc rs Patent.

.is mounted on and guided by a pairof in'--' AUTOMATIC FEEDING MECHANISM FOR BED-AND-PLATEN rmtssas.

Patented Jan. 23, 1917.

Application filed January 10, 1911. Serial No. 601,807.

ing part of the feeding mechanism with the parts 1n position ready to feed a thin sheet; Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the separation of the bottom sheet and the advance of the pile of sheets into extreme position; Fi 00 d is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the adjustnient of the parts for 'feeding thick Sheets; Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the supporting bracket for the feed rolls, and connected parts; and Fig. 10 is an end view thereof.

The invention is shown as applied toa ob press having a frame 10, a main shaft 11 provided with pinions 12 transmitting power through gears 13 to the operatin shaft 14' as usual. On each gear 13 1s a .stu connected by a link 16 with a rocker arm 17 for supporting the bed of a, printing couple. The links 16 and rocker arms 17 are connected by an eccentric 18 with which is rigidly connected an arm 19. The rocker arm 17 is .moved to and from the platen 20 in the usual manner.

On the shaft His a 'cstm21 which operates a roll 22 on an oscillating arm 23. This arm is fixed on an oscillating rod 24 mounted on a bracket 25 on a cross-piece 26 constituting a part of the frame. A spring 27, also mounted on a. bracket on this cross piece, normally forces the arm 23 and the cam roll 35 22 toward the gear. Onthe rod 24 is fixed an arm 28 which'may be integral with the arm 23 and with which it const tutes a lever. Loosely mounted on the rod 24 is an 'arm 29. A screw 30 'adjustably connects the. arms 28 90 and 29 so that by the adjustment of the screw, the angle of these arms to eachother can be varied at will. These arms are fixed in adjusted position by means ofa screw and nut 31 operating in an obvious manner. The

arm29 is connected by a link 32 with a, re-.. ciprocating feed table 33 provided with the usual gages and guides. The feed table clined rods 34 supported at one end by castings 35 carried by the sucker roller feed bar 49. These ,rods are not stationarybut are mounted to be adjusted about-thetra'nsverse axis of the feed bar at one end. They are provided with means for adjustin the other end whichv changes the angle 0 the! feed table. 1 This adjusting means is shown in the form of a transverse rod 36 connected with the guide rods 34 and a rod 3'? extending downwardly and supported at its Iowa: 0 i

end by a projection 38 from'the bracket 25.

This rod has a pair of collars 39 adjustable,

along the same and a set screw for holding of the feed roll.

I feed bar.

the same in adjusted position. By these adjustments the angleof the feed table can be changed and the corresponding adjustment made in the feed thereof, to provide for feeding sheets of different thicknesses or other qualities.

On the shaft 14 isa cam adapted to operate a cam roll 41 on an oscillating arm 42. The end of this arm engages the end of a reciprocating rod 43 which is pressed toward the arm 42 and toward the cam by a spring 44. On the rod is a plunger 45 in a cylinder 46. This cylinder is connected by a flexible hose 47 or the like with a stationary casing or cap48 on the end of a movable hollow suction roll or feed bar 4'.) journaled in bearings on the frame. This feed bar has a longitudinal passage 50 therein with.

which the hose communicates and it is provided with perforations 50 in .two lines along the surface of an enlarged central cylindrical portion 49 thereof so that when suction is applied by means of the plunger 45, the center of a sheet engaging the roll will be drawn down on its surface so as to be carried around by the oscillatory movement Thus the sheets are drawn forward "by the centers of their forward ends. Only one row of perforations is in useat once, the other row being closed by any desired means'as by pasting a paper over it. Fig. 6 shows one row of perforations used for feeding thin paper, and Fig. 8 shows the other row used for heavy paper.

The oscillatory movement of the feed bar is secured by the motion of the table itself. For this purpose it is provided with a rack 51 meshing with a segment or gear 52 on the One reason forthe necessity of operating the adjusting screw 30 will now be understood. Then the angle is changed to alter the position of the paper relative to the erforations 50 this has to be compensate for by the adjustment of the arm 2!) to'cause the feed table to move properly.

The feed bar or sucker roll 49 is connected with the hose by means of a fixed nozzle on the cap 48. The perforation through this cap which communicates with .the hose is adapted to be opened and closed by the end of the feed bar 29 which has a perforation 56 which communicates with the passage 50 therein. The cap 48 is also provided with a vent opening 57 in position to register with the perforation 56 when the feed bar turns on its axis past the position in which the sheets'are delivered from this feed bar. These features are shown in F igs. 4 and 5'. The result is that when the feed 7 bar is in the position shown in Figs. 5 and directly with the pump and is exhausted so that the bottom sheet will be moved by-the oscillation of the feed bar. When the feed bar oscillates around to the position shown in Fig. 7, the flexible hose momentarily communicates 'with the vent opening, and after that the vent opening still communicates with the pasage 50 until the cycleof operations is completed. This operation permits air to enter from the outside and entirely releases the paper from the feed roll and of course there is no force to connect it therewith again until the feed roll oscillates back to the position shown in gupported by the castings or'forgings 35- is a transverse rod 60 on which'are carried a pair of pieces 61 to which a pair of guide 4 plates 62 are fixed for the purpose of oldmg up the bottom sheets when the feed table recedes and holding up the propecting end of the bottom sheet between the feed bar and the feed rolls 63. One of these feed rolls is journaled on a projection in fixed relation to the axis of the feed bar. The other one is journaled in a'pair of members 66 which are adjustable on their axes about an eccentric 67. They are fixed in adjusted positions by screws 68 as will be obvious. By this arrangement the upper feed roll is adjustable toward and fromthe lower one to provide for feeding paper of different thicknesses or qualities.

In order properly to separate the bottom sheet which is drawn down on the feed bar.

49 from the rest of the pile at each operation of the feed table,'the following mechanism is provided: Supported by the side frames (35 is a transverse shaft or rod, 70 on which are fixed two supports 71. Adjustment of this shaft is secured by an arm '72 on a hub having elongated slots 78 therein along which they are adjusted onthe brackets by a ,screw 7!). This permits the plate to'take different positions as shown in-Figs. 6 and 8.

The separating means proper consists of a plate '80 having a nose of triangular shape in cross section and provided with a curved front surface 81, the curvature of which changes from the center to the edges as Will be seen by reference to Figs. 2 and 7. This nose is concave on the back side and is designed to have its front point engage the center of the bottom sheet. As this sheet passes under the nose, it' flattens out the sheet if it is curved. This insures the proper presentation ofthe sheet to the feed rolls. At the same time, the nose supports the sheets next above and gradually sepaa position topres ent one of a-pile of sheets rates them from the bottom ,sheet' as the pile is caused to pass along over the nose. This nose is supported by the members 71 and is clamped thereon by the brackets 74. Therefore 1t is adjustable longitudinally by means of screws 82 entering the supports 71. It is secured in adjusted position by the screvl 75.

The register table 85 may be of any usual construction. It is hung loosely on the shaft 70 by means of arms 86. The feed rolls ()3 feed the paper over the tapes 87 and under guides 88 on the register table. The register ed to engage a sheet and move the same table tapes and feed rolls are operated from one of the gears 13 by a train of gearing 89.

I do not claim herein the automatic tripping mechanism shown and described be cause that constitutes the subject matter of my divisional application thereon, Serial No. 700,185, filed May 28, 1912.

1 \Vhile I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, I am aware that many modifications may be made therein by any person, skilled in the art without departing from the scope ofthe invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore I, do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown and described, but

lVhat I do claim is 1. In a bed and platen press, the combination of a feed table, longitudinal guides therefor, an oscillatable feed bar to which the 'forward end of the table is 'pivoted, means for adjusting the other end of the feed table transversely to the plane thereof, and means for reciprocating the feed table along the guides. f

2. In a sheet feeding device for printing presses, the combination of a movable feed bar adapted to engage a sheet and move the same along during its own motion, a feed table supported adjacent to the feed bar in position to present one of a pile of. sheets thereon to engage the surface of-said feed bar, and means projecting from the feed bar toward the feed table for guiding the for-, ward edge of a sheet on the surface of the bar, said guiding means also projecting beydnd-the feed bar to guide the sheet after it has advanced beyond the feed bar. I

3. Ina sheet feeding device the co1nbina-' tion witha feedtable, a feed bar located substant'iallyat the end thereof, a stationary sheet separating-means above the feed bar, and means for adjusting the feed table about the feed bar as a center to vary its angular .relation to the bottom of the separator to ,permit the separation and feeding of sheets of different thickness. i 4. In a sheet feeding device for printing presses, the combination of a' movable feed bar adapted to engage a sheet and move the same along during its own motion, a feed a table supported adjacent to the feed bar 1n -j lating the bar.

thereon to engage thev surface of said iced bar, means for moving the feed table toward and from the feed bar, means for moving the surface of the feed bar away from the feed table, and means projectingfrom the feed bar toward the feed table for guiding the forwardedge of a sheet on the surface o-fthe bar. said guiding means also projecting beyond the feed bar to guide the sheet after it has advanced beyond the feed bar.

In asheet feeding device for printing presses, the combination of a feed bar adapt along, a feed table, and a guiding means for the sheet comprising a member having a surmiface substantially in registration with the surface of the feed bar that receives the sheet and projecting therefrom'on opposite sides, the projection on one side extending under the sheets on the feed table, and the in projection on the other side supporting the forward edges of the sheets after'they have advanced beyond the feed bar.

6. In a sheet feeding device for printing presses, the combination of afeed' bar adaptto ed to engage a sheet and hold'the same Ion its surface, a feed table having a substaijltially pivotal movement about the feed bar in post tion to present one of a pile of sheets thereon to engage theslirface of said feed bar, means I5 .for oscillating the feed bar on its own axis to feed the sheets forward, and means whereby the end of the feed table opposite the feed baican be adjusted to change the posi tion on the feed bar to which the ends the, 1! sheets will come. i

7. In a sheet feeding device for a printing press, the combination of a feed bar oscillatable on its own axis, and 'msvided with two sets of means at the surface thereof for en- 1025 gagii'ig the bottom sheet of a pile and holding it on the feed bar while it oscillates,

a feed table for Hl l])])()1tl1lg a pile of sheets. said feed table being supported at one einl adjacent to said barand a(l'jnsta l.il suppm-t- 11?: ed at the other end, whereby the angular pm sition-of the 'feed table with respect to said means on the bar can be adjusted. means for reciprocating the feed table toward and E from the bar, and means for oscillating the lit: ban r 8. In a sheet feeding device for printing presses, the combination of alroscillatory feed bar having means along its surface ar ranged in two parallel; rows for engaging 126 the bottom sheet of a pile and holding it on the feed bar whilev it oscillates. a feed table means for adjusting the relative angle of feed table and bar. whereby the sheets on the feed table can be caused to cover one or both of said'rows of means, andmeans for oscil- 9. In a sheet feeding device for printing presses, the combination of an osclllatory feed bar having means along its surface ar ranged in two parallel rows for engaging the bottom sheet of a pile and holding it on the feed bar while it oscillates, a feed table reciprocable toward and from the feed bar, means for adjusting the angle of the feed table with respect to said means on the bar, whereby the sheets on the feed table can be caused to "cover one or both of said rows of means, and means on the feed table for turning the-feed bar on its axis when the feedstable moves.

10. In a sheet feeding device for a printing press, the combination with a movable feed table, of a feed bar capable of turning on its own' axis, having a passage therein and provided with an enlarged cylindrical central portion having perforations leading from the surface to said passage and locatedin a position to receive the lower surfaceof theforward edge of the bottom sheet of a pile located on thefeed table, means for exhausting air from said passage whcreby'the movement of the feed bar will draw the sheets forward by the centers of their forward edges, and stationary guides and supporting plates at the sides of said enlarged portion for holding up the bottom Sheets at their outer edges while they are lieing fed by the feed bar.

11,, In a, sheet feeding device for print ing presses, the combination with a. feed table, of a feed bar, having a'passage therein provided with a plurality of rows of perforations leading from said passage to a surface of the bar which the sheets on the sheets on the feed table engage when 'the feed table moves up toward the bar, means for exhausting said passage, and means for adjusting the opposite end of the feed table toregulate the position of the forward edges of the sheets on the feed" table with respect to said rows of perforations onthe bar; whereby the sheets can be brought into registration with either. 13. In a sheet feeding device for printing presses, the combination with a feed table capable of moving, back and forth, of an oscillatable feed. bar having a passage therein provided with a plurality of rows ofperforations leading from said passage to a's urface of the bar which the sheets on the feed. table engage when the feed table feed table engage, means for exhausting separating means, and means for adjusting the angular relation of the feed table to the separating means and keeping them at the same distance from the feed her to permit the feeding of sheets of different thicknesses from said feed table.

15. In a sheet feeding device, the com bination of a feed table, a feed bar located adjacent to the. endther'eof, a separator for separating the bottom sheet on the feed bar from the remainder of the sheets in a-pile on the feed table, and means for adjusting the end of the feed table remote from the bar to vary the angular relation thereof with the bottom of the separator to adapt' the feeding device for feeding thin or thick sheets.

16. In a press feed, thcvcombination of an opera ing shaft, :1 vibr atory feed table, means connected with saidshaft for vibrating the feed table, a hollow movable feed bar having perforations located in position to register with theforwardpart of a sheet when the'feed table is moved up to a certain position, and means opcrated'by said shaft for exhausting air frolnsaid bar.

17.- In a' sheet feeding device for printing presses, the combination o'f'a feed bar adapted to engage a sheet and move the samealong, a feed table, rolls for receiving the sheets from. the feed bar. a plate for positively separating a sheet from.the pile of sheets, said plate being mounted to swing on a transverse axis at a d-istancefrom .the feed bar, .and meansfor adjusting it about said axis.

18. In a sheet feeding device for printing presses; the combination of means for supporting a pile of sheets and feed bar for taking the bottom sheet therefrom and advancing it, with positive means for separating said bottom sheet from the pile, comprising a plate having a pointed nose projecting toward said feed bar in position to cover the top of the bottom sheet when ad'- vanced by the feed bar, said plate being ads;

.justabletoward and from the feed bar, and

a stop plate located above said plate for receiving the ends of the sheets when advanced to a position to permit the feed her to advance the bottom sheets therefrom,

said stop plate being angularly adjustable with respect to the first named plate.

19. m a sneer; Ieeding. deviik', the combination of a. pair of rolls for receiving a sheet, means for taking the bottom sheet from a, pile and deflecting the same toward said feed rolls, a plate having a pointed nose for positively separating the bottom sheet from the pile and for receiving the pileof sheets as the same is fed forward,

anda'stop late located on said plate and adjustable a ong the surface thereof and an-' gularly with respect thereto for receiving the ends of the sheets when they are fed for-' ward.

20, In a sheet feeding device, the combi- 15 nation of a pair of rolls for receiving sheet, means for taking the bcttoni'sheet from a pile and deflecting the same toward said ied rolls,'a plate for se arating the bottom sheet from the pile, an a stop plate located on said plate and adjustable along 20 the surface thereof and angularly with respect thereto for receiving the ends of the sheetswhen they are fed forward.

.In'lt estimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presenceof two subscribing 25 witnesses.

4 HENRY A. 'WISE 'WOOD. Wit:

MABEL'M. Gusset, BnonwsNW. Joxzs. 

